Introducing Lauren Snowden, Master Gardener Program statewide training coordinator

UC Master Gardener Program Statewide Blog

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News and updates from the statewide UC Master Gardener Program office.

Published on: April 28, 2015

The statewide office is thrilled to introduce the new UC Master Gardener Program statewide training coordinator, Lauren Snowden. Lauren will work out of the statewide office at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources building in Davis, Calif. She will be responsible for developing trainings, resources and materials to assist coordinators and volunteers for county-based programs. Volunteer Management Institute (VMI), drought train-the-trainer workshops, VMS help resources and the expert speaker database are just a few examples of the many projects Lauren will be managing during her new role.

Before joining the statewide staff for the UC Master Gardener Program, Lauren worked for Yuba County Health and Human Services where she was an Administrative Analyst for twelve years. During her time at Yuba County Health and Human Services Lauren worked alongside management to develop training programs for employees and coworkers. She has a passion for creating creative and engaging trainings and is excited to bring her experience to UC Master Gardeners.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to take what Aubrey has already done and continue to build upon the great work with our coordinators, volunteers and statewide staff.” – Lauren Snowden, Statewide Training Coordinator – UC Master Gardener Program

Lauren has been a UC Master Gardener volunteer in Sutter-Yuba Counties since 2011. As a UC Master Gardener volunteer Lauren co-manages her program's monthly county newsletter, and trains the public and fellow volunteers on her favorite gardening topics, including: vegetable gardening, planting for spring flowers, and patio gardening.

Lauren resides in Yuba City on two acres of a “work in progress” with her husband Phil, dog Gunner and beloved cat Rascal. She is a substitute yoga instructor at her local gym, and is training to run a half and full marathon in 2015.

Lauren with her husband Phil & dog Gunner

Lauren's cat Rascal

Comments: 3

Comments:

by Ruben Arias

on April 29, 2015 at 9:16 AM

I would like to welcome you on your new endeavor. I too am new to the Master Gardener Program. I'm in m second year. I'm from the Coachella Valley (low desert) in Riverside county. I too am working to bring new Master Gardener experiences to our new and established MG in the Desert areas. Please keep us in mind when you introduce your innovative ideas to the MG Program. We are located about an hours drive to Riverside. Our average rainfall is about 2 inches per year. We rely on the Colorado river for our crops. If there is anything I can do to help you in your transition or if you have any questions about our Desert MG activities feel free to contact me. Best of luck to you.

by Lauren Snowden

on April 29, 2015 at 12:50 PM

Hi Rueben- Thanks for the warm welcome. I’m very excited to be working with Coordinators and Master Gardeners from all over our beautiful state. At some point I will be making my way down to Southern California and experience your (low) desert for myself. The statewide office is gearing up for reappointment of approximately 6,000 volunteers and planning a new and exciting Peer Exchange Program.

Lots of good things to come.

by Maureen Angle 2014

on April 30, 2015 at 3:51 PM

Greetings from the Sierra Foothills Lauren, Welcome and Congratulations on your new position! As a MG volunteer yourself, you know what a tremendous resource the program is for the public. Your knowledge and expertise will be a valuable contribution. As Speaker Coordinator for the Amador County MGs, I couldn't help but notice that you will be overseeing the expert speaker database. So, I thought I would put in a plug for us before you get so very busy with all your new exciting duties! It is very difficult for us to find a variety of speakers who will travel, the distance required, to help us provide relevant, timely, useful continuing education for our Master Gardeners. Perhaps some of us could put our heads together with you and create a "Foothills" (El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne)circuit or something like that. We find that often the speakers don't want to travel this far, even if the Foothills are listed as one of the places they are willing to travel to. We are always trying to improve our local program, Knowledgeable Mgs=Better Advice.